Susie Santo, President and CEO

Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau

Susie Santo joined the Go Wichita team in the summer of 2012, as the President and CEO. She has quickly made an impact on the team, industry and community. In 2014, she led the initiative to create the state's first Tourism Business Improvement District. This funding will be utilized to market the city, at unprecedented levels, and ultimately to drive more visitors and dollars to the city of Wichita.

Susie currently serves on many local, state and national boards including: The Wichita Chamber of Commerce, WDDC, Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission, Travel Industry Association of Kansas, US Travel Destination Council and serves on the Transit Advisory Council. In addition, she served as the Board Chair of the California Travel Association.

Prior to joining Go Wichita, Susie had a successful 20-year career with Universal Studios Hollywood where she held numerous positions in operations, brand marketing, product development and sales.

A Kansas native, Susie is a graduate of The University of Kansas and a former college athlete. Susie is married to Frank and they have a 5 year old daughter, Sophia.

The luncheon will be held at the Wichita Boathouse, home of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, 515 S. Wichita St., from 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. The cost is $20 for members and $35 for non-members. Reservations are REQUIRED by Friday, Feb. 6. Reservations and payment can be made online at www.wiba.org by calling the WIBA office at 316-201-3264 or by emailing membership@wiba.org.

Pay at door with check, cash or credit card or; you can register and pay online through our web site (http://www.wiba.org/WIBACalendar/); or through the emailed luncheon announcement you receive each month.

Chairman's Column - February 2015

While one should not take opinions expressed in The Wichita Eagle's "Opinion Line" too seriously several recent comments deserve a refutation. One said that the writer would not buy from local companies because they paid no taxes and several blasted Koch Industries for its funding of the expression of political positions.

Well . . . to the person who thought local companies don't pay taxes, you've missed a few critical points.

They also pay income tax though whether they pay it as a business, individual or both, varies.

Money spent at local companies actually increases the wealth in the community while money spent at non-local businesses leaks money from the local economy.

While there is no study of the local multiplier in Wichita, studies of other communities shows that it works like this. The following table shows how much money remains in the community if each purchase is with a local business or with a non-local business.

LocalNon-local

Initial $100 expenditure

passes $60

Initial $100 expenditure

passes $30

2nd person gets $60

passes $36

2nd person gets $30

passes $9

3rd person gets $36

passes $22

3rd person gets $9

passes $1

4th person gets $22

passes $13

5th person gets $13

passes $8

6th person gets $8

passes $5

7th person gets $5

passes $3

8th person gets $3

passes $2

9th person gets $2

passes $

Total Impact

$150

$43

Spending locally in this example expands the local economy, adding 50%. Spending non locally leaves only $43 of the original $100 expenditure in the local economy. It is called leakage. Not a good strategy to grow jobs here.

The slamming of Koch Industries is also perplexing. We understand that some people and some members disagree with Koch on a number of political issues. Doing the best for WIBA members on an issue in Topeka or D.C., for example, means that our position sometimes is different than that of Koch.

First I can tell you that while Koch representatives within WIBA argue their points, they have never tried to punish our organization for disagreeing on an issue. Secondly, I can think of a number of local nonprofits where Koch is a major supporter. I know that because I either sit on the board of those organizations or have been told about other nonprofits that Koch is a major contributor.

Thirdly, what company is adding the most employees, and well paid ones, to the Wichita economy at this time? Which company and foundation have made the largest contribution to Wichita State recently?

I work with many people with whom I disagree, but do I wish they were not a part of this community? Absolutely not.

To summarize, I encourage you to support local businesses and appreciate their contributions to the community even when their political views differ from yours.

Joe Johnson

WIBA Chairman of the Board

Small Business Day in Topeka and Legislative Reception

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

A full day of meetings with your legislators in Topeka. The Kansas legislature will convene on Jan. 12, 2015. Thousands of bills are expected to be filed. Now is the time to get engaged with your legislators. Get to know them and let them get to know you. We want to keep Kansas a business friendly state.

An evening reception is planned just for WIBA members and the South Central Delegation. This is your chance to talk with legislatures in person about issues that concern YOU in a casual atmosphere.

Where: KAIA Offices, 815 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS

When: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Cost: No cost to attend

Reserve by calling the WIBA office at 316-201-3264 or email to membership@wiba.org. Reservations are appreciated by Friday, Jan. 30th.

The evening reception is being sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Kansas, Inc.

Successful completion of this course will increase your knowledge and ability to:

Recognize common myths and misconceptions about innovation

Use multiple intelligences to generate a variety of ideas

Apply the characteristics of creative people to any problem or issue

Follow a four-step process for team innovation

Promote innovation without regulating it

Use cross-functional teams to foster innovation

Spot sacred cows in your organization

The seminar will be held at the WIBA offices, 200 E. 1st, Ste. 101, from 12:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Reservations are REQUIRED by the Monday prior to the seminar (January 19 and 26). The cost is $25 for WIBA members and $35 for non-members. A discount is available for those attending both seminars, $35 for members and $50 for non-members.

WIBA members can make their reservations for a single session on line, for the discount on both sessions call the WIBA office. Non-members need to email or call the WIBA office at 316-201-3264, email to membership@wiba.org.

WIBA Renewals

54 U-Store

Advocates for Behavioral Health P.A.

Biggs Law Group L.C.

Bothner & Bradley Inc.

Brunk Realty Inc.

Carson Bank

Central Gloass & Mirror Co.

Central Power Systems and Services Inc.

Citizens Finance Company

CJ Home Investors L.L.C.

Claude Mann & Associates Inc.

Clears Inc.

Clifton Cleaning Company

Davis-Moore Auto Group

Delta Dental of Kansas Inc.

Docuplex

Evans Building Company Inc.

Exploration Place

Fidelity Bank

First Presbyterian Church

Frank Mick Floor Covering

Frederick Plumbing and Heating Inc.

Hana Café

Harry B. Rusk Company Inc.

Hentzen Contractors Inc.

Hornick & Associates L.L.C.

J.R. Custom Metal Products Inc.

John E. Turriff Inc.

Koch Industries Inc.

Lee Reed Engraving Inc.

Michael Slack Farms

National-Spencer Inc.

Northwestern Mutual

Paul J. Mohr Attorney

Peterson Peterson & Goss L.C.

Phoenix Supply Inc.

Regier Carr & Monroe L.L.P. C.P.A.s

Rick Drees, LT Care Solutions

SS Air Express Delivery Inc.

Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey & Associates P.A.

Science Education Center

Star Lumber & Supply Co. Inc.

Sudbury Transportation Inc.

Sunflower Bank N.A.

Thomas M. Tran M.D. L.L.C.

West Wichita Pet Clinic Inc.

Welcome New WIBA Members!

CENTRAL AUTO ELECTRIC

975 N. West St.

Wichita, KS 67203

Keith Dome, 316-943-5283

keith@caewichita.com

www.caewichita.com

Auto Repair and Services

Referred by: - International Monetary Systems, IMS

TABOR COLLEGE, SCHOOL OF ADULT AND GRADUATE STUDIES

7348 W. 21st St., Ste. 117

Wichita, KS 67205

Jim Fly, 316-729-6333, ext. 2211

jimfly@tabor.edu

www.tabor.edu

Education - Training and Tutoring

Referred by: Tim Witsman - WIBA

DRIVETIME ADVERTISING

114 N. Wabash Ave.

Wichita, KS 67214

Olivia Woydziak, 316-303-4130

olivia@drivetimeadvertising.com

www.drivetimeadvertising.com

Advertising

Referred by: Crystal Hervey - New Image Roofing and Construction

PHUNCO LLC dba JIMMIE'S DINER

P.O. Box 781277

Wichita, KS 67278

Linda Davidson, 316-630-9292

linda@jimmiesdiner.com

www.jimmiesdiner.com

Restaurants

Referred by: - International Monetary Systems, IMS

LEGASUS GROUP, LC

121 N. Mead St.

Wichita, KS 67202

Alleah Heise, 316-681-0444

aheise@legasusgroup.com

www.legasusgroup.com

Business Consulting

NEW IMAGE ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION

114 N. Wabash

Wichita, KS 67214

Crystal Hervey, 316-201-1180

crystal@newimageroofing.biz

Roofing

Check out the information below for details on the 2015 Membership Contest.

Lots of prizes available for WIBA members.

For each new member that list you as the referral:

Your business will receive a $25 credit towards next year's dues.

Free business card size ad in the WIBA ISSUES newsletter (one per month with no carry over).

You will receive a $10 dollar restaurant gift card.

Your name goes in the hat for the Grand Prize drawing at the January 2016 monthly luncheon.

WIBA member who brought in the most new members for the quarter will receive the quarterly prize.

Acknowledgement in the WIBA ISSUES newsletter with picture, description of business and logo.

Prize with a retail value of $250 or more.

Grand Prize drawing at the January 2016 WIBA monthly luncheon

Increase your chances for the Grand Prize by referring as many new members throughout the year.

Acknowledgement in the WIBA ISSUES newsletter with picture, description of business and logo.

Grand Prize retail value is $1,100.

Top Star Award

The Top Star award is for the member who generates the highest dollar amount of combined memberships.

The Top Star winner cannot win the Grand Prize.

The Top Star prize will be announced at a later date.

Potential new members can be directed to WIBA web site at www.wiba.org to join or ask Judy to mail or email an application. Remember to have the potential new member list you on the referral line of the application! WIBA Staff and family members are excluded in contest.

The Association and Publisher cannot accept responsibility for the correctness or accuracy of the matters printed herein or for any opinions expressed. Opinions of the Editor or contributors do not necessarily represent the position of the Association. Publisher reserves the right to reject any material submitted for publication. Copy submitted for publication shall become the property of the Association and shall not be returned. Articles received with accompanying photos receive publication preference.